1996—Pub. L. 104–262 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “It is the purpose of this subchapter to improve the quality of hospital care and other medical service provided veterans under this title, by authorizing the Secretary to enter into agreements with medical schools, health-care facilities, and research centers throughout the country in order to receive from and share with such medical schools, health-care facilities, and research centers the most advanced medical techniques and information, as well as certain specialized medical resources which otherwise might not be feasibly available or to effectively utilize other medical resources with the surrounding medical community, without diminution of services to veterans. Among other things, it is intended, by these means, to strengthen the medical programs at those Department hospitals which are located in small cities or rural areas and thus are remote from major medical centers. It is further the purpose of this subchapter to improve the provision of care to veterans under this title by authorizing the Secretary to enter into agreements with State veterans facilities for the sharing of health-care resources.”

1993—Pub. L. 103–210 inserted at end “It is further the purpose of this subchapter to improve the provision of care to veterans under this title by authorizing the Secretary to enter into agreements with State veterans facilities for the sharing of health-care resources.”

1991—Pub. L. 102–40 renumbered section 5051 of this title as this section.

Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” and “Department” for “Veterans’ Administration”.

1990—Pub. L. 101–366 substituted “health-care facilities,” for “hospitals,” in two places.